For the second game of the season on Saturday, 15th-ranked Alabama headed up north to face the fifth-ranked St. John’s Red Storm, and the Crimson Tide didn’t disappoint one bit.

They left Madison Square Garden with a 103-96 victory, just in time to take their team flight to Tuscaloosa and host five-star recruit Caleb Holt.

Previously, St. John’s had won 12 straight games at the Garden, and not only that, it was the first game in coach Rick Pitino’s tenure that it had allowed 100 or more points.

But we narrowed that game to a few observations, so let’s get into it.

Elite Guard Play

If you saw the game, you’d understand.

LaBaron Philon, Aden Holloway and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. were a three-man show for the Crimson Tide.

Many had touted Philon as “an NBA player who plays in college,” but it was Holloway who actually led the charge in the first half.

It felt like Holloway held onto the ball too long at times, something he’s been notorious for in his three seasons at the collegiate level, but it was worth it.

He shot 50% from the field with four assists, a pair of rebounds and a steal.

Holloway along with Wrightsell accounted for 15-35 shooting, including six of the Tide’s 11 made 3-pointers.

But let’s talk about Philon for a second. Because Holloway had fouled out with 3:22 left in the game, and St. John’s was coming in hot and it forced the ball in Philon’s hands.

From the time Holloway fouled out, Philon scored seven of the next 11 points to seal the deal for the Crimson Tide, including a game-sealing step back 3-pointer with just under two minutes left.

A Scrappy Bunch

This is a team that will not give up, and it showed with their effort.

Active hands, chasing after loose balls, and aggressive on the glass – all with Davion Hannah leaving the game after two minutes with an injured tailbone.

Houston Mallette’s shot wasn’t falling from deep either, but he still managed to make his presence known with five rebounds and being a deterrent off the ball.

It was also impressive with how Alabama reacted to getting pressured full court by the Red Storm.

St. John’s coach Rick Pitino understood how Alabama likes to push the pace so he opted to run a full-court press, which the Tide shrugged off.

The Crimson Tide Two X-Factors

The stars for the Crimson Tide are evident, but the stars don’t get all the credit when the team wins.

Both Taylor Bol Bowen and freshman Amari Allen were chief executives of that aforementioned scrappy bunch, and the Tide probably wouldn't win without their contributions.

Bol Bowen made every shot he took inside the arc, amassing 17 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals. 

Four of those rebounds came on the offensive glass.

Allen’s contributions may go overlooked due to his poor shooting day, but he was a presence on the floor. 

He registered a team-high 10 rebounds, as well as a +19. And you can bet his coach acknowledged his efforts.

 “Amari was huge. For a freshman, his first week of college basketball to step up and play like he did in the Garden, he’s got himself a great career ahead.”

Two Glaring Negatives

It was a tad concerning given how many open looks St. John’s superstar Zuby Ejiofor had.

Ejiofor ended up having 27 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and two steals, and it seemed like target practice for the senior.

There were at least five occasions where Ejiofor was wide open, whether it be from 3 or midrange, and the Alabama defenders just watched him shoot the ball with a three foot gap in between them.

It’s not like Ejiofor has a quick release either, so the decision to leave him open and free to shoot was certainly a head scratcher. 

The other was foul troubles. 

Holloway had fouled out, and both Philon and Aiden Sherrell racked up four fouls (with Sherrell only playing 17 minutes), and backup center Noah Williamson had three fouls in nine minutes.

Overall, there was a massive foul discrepancy, with Alabama committing 27, and St. John’s committing just 17.